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Board of Directors Nominating Committee

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:13:28 GMT

The Soccer Association of Columbia is currently seeking nominations for its Board of Directors. Interested members should send an email to sacbodnominations@sac-hc.org.

John Ellinger Announces His Retirement From SAC/BA

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 12:26:02 GMT

Aki Lake Assumes New Role As SAC/BA Technical Director

After many years of dedicated service, John Ellinger has announced his retirement from the position of Technical Director effective December 31, 2025. SAC/BA was fortunate to have such an experienced technical director. John’s resume included coaching the U17 Men’s National Team, MLS head and assistant coach, assistant to the Men’s Olympic team and many other roles in national youth soccer programs. His contributions as a teacher, coach, and mentor have had a lasting impact on our players, coaches, families, and staff. We thank John for his commitment, leadership, and the countless ways he has helped shape the success of our club. Under John’s leadership the Baltimore Armour Academy was formed with enormous success, the SAC travel program continues to excel, and the technical direction of the Club is vastly improved. John has always taken immense pride in serving his community and country. In simple words, he is a soccer legend! We wish him all the best in this next chapter.

At the same time, we are pleased to announce that Aki Lake will be stepping into the role of Technical Director for SAC and Baltimore Armour. As our current Director of Coaching, Aki has been instrumental in player and coach development, and we are confident he will continue to build on the solid foundation that has been established. Aki holds a USSF ‘A’ and UEFA ‘B’ coaching license.

“I am honored to step into the role of Technical Director for SAC and Baltimore Armour. Thanks to John’s outstanding leadership, our club is well-positioned for continued success, and I am excited about the opportunities ahead. John has been an incredible mentor, and I am grateful for his guidance and support. I also want to thank Craig Blackburn and the Board for their confidence in me. I look forward to collaborating with our Executive Director, staff, and coaches to keep advancing player development across all levels” stated Aki Lake.

Please join us in congratulating John on his well-deserved retirement and Aki on his new role within the club.

Bob Grandfield, SAC/BA Board President

Craig Blackburn, SAC/BA Executive Director

On The Line Podcast - John Ellinger on Landon Donovan & Building Real Salt Lake

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 13:29:21 GMT

This week, Priestly sits down with legendary coach John Ellinger , a Montgomery County, Maryland native whose coaching résumé reads like a piece of U.S. Soccer history. From his early days at Frostburg State to becoming the first head coach of Real Salt Lake (MLS) , Ellinger shares the journey, lessons, and stories that shaped his career.

He opens up about coaching some of the nation’s top players, including Landon Donovan , revealing what made the young star so special on and off the field. Plus, hear about his time leading one of the top four ranked teams in the world for U.S. Soccer, and how he continues to influence the next generation with his USSF A License experience and passion for the game.

Link:

https://www.msysa.org/on-the-line-podcast/

DICK'S Sporting Goods Year Round Coupons

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:51:41 GMT

DICK's Sporting Goods is offering SAC members year round savings! Use these coupons at checkout.

https://cmm.dickssportinggoods.com/crmcdn/getoffer.aspx?offer_entity_code=O241FNSM&token=eeNdc-cifrvoWVC3Ttxp6CzlJIpqWipqa1Ybfj1wMZV5jRV1AGvs2omTrW1vXbTplEVMVcd5TOjIBV-CgLQg2

BA Girls Academy Coaches - 2025/2026

info@sac-hc.org (SAC/BA (Soccer Association of Columbia)) — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 18:29:03 GMT

Baltimore Armour Girls Academy Coaches

2025/2026 Season

BA 13's (2013) - Jeremy Dillon (Girls)

BA 14's (2012) - Lindsay Hinkle (Girls)

BA 15's (2011) - Diana Lombardi (Girls)

BA 16's (2010) - Jeremy Dillon (Girls)

BA 17's (2009) - Sam Haddad (Girls)

BA 19's (2008/2007) - Sam Haddad (Girls)

Extra Time: John Ellinger's DA Influence

info@sac-hc.org (SAC/BA (Soccer Association of Columbia)) — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 14:02:41 GMT

Founding Futbol Podcast with SAC /BA Technical Director, John Ellinger

John Ellinger built the Bradenton residency of the U17 US Men's National Team that became the model for the Development Academy.

Podcast Link:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3CFhjS5k72iTdkppEc2v4B?si=a13224deba9646c0&nd=1&dlsi=6bfdcf759d1b4553

Wilma Moran-Wylie Inducted into the 2024 Howard County Community Sports Hall of Fame!

info@sac-hc.org (SAC/BA (Soccer Association of Columbia)) — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 12:53:01 GMT

Congratulations to SAC/BA’s VP-Recreation, Wilma Moran-Wylie for her induction into the 2024 Howard County Community Sports Hall of Fame!

Pictured with fellow Hall of Fame members Jim Carlan (left) and Bill McCormack Jr (right).

"For Wilma Moran-Wylie, coaching soccer with the Soccer Association of Columbia (SAC) is a way to develop boys as players and as people. She started with her son, giving him strong support and encouragement just as her father provided her. After her son went to high school, Wilma continued coaching because she enjoyed helping kids learn life skills through playing soccer. In all, Wilma has been either a volunteer coach or paid travel coach for more than 25 years. When not coaching, Wilma served as an age-group coordinator for SAC since 2010 and as vice president of the recreation program since 2015. Beyond the administrative tasks, Wilma spends a great deal of time and energy working with coaches, parents, and players to help them resolve issues. She emphasizes that SAC is a family and the goal is player development. For her involvement, Wilma hopes to be remembered for making a positive impact on children’s lives."

Full Press Release

Sports and Hydration for Athletes: Q&A with a Johns Hopkins Dietitian

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 18:20:09 GMT

Drinking enough water is important every day, but especially when soccer is part of your routine, and you may need electrolytes as well. Rayven Nairn, M.S., R.D., L.D., a dietitian with the Johns Hopkins University Student Health and Wellness Center, answers some common questions about sports hydration, sports drinks and what’s best to drink ― and when.

Learn more

ACL Tears in Female Athletes: What to Know and How to Prevent

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 16:39:31 GMT

Learn the Symptoms and Treatment Options from Johns Hopkins Medicine Experts

Women often have unique health care needs, and sports injuries are no exception. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, for example, are more common in women than in men. Johns Hopkins sports medicine expert Andrew Cosgarea, M.D., answers common questions about ACL tears in girls and women and explains what they can do to lower the risk of injury.

Keep your head in the game: Signs of Concussion for Athletes

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 16:00:17 GMT

What to know from Johns Hopkins Medicine Specialists

Keeping possession and winning the ball in the air is critical to a successful soccer match. But when it comes to using your head, there is a risk for concussion. Learn from the Johns Hopkins Medicine experts on causes for concussion, signs and symptoms of the injury, and what to do if you suspect your child has experienced the injury.

Meet the Sports Medicine Providers at Johns Hopkins

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 18:06:58 GMT

Location in Columbia, MD

Johns Hopkins Rehabilitation Network offers athletes the full continuum of care, from on-field evaluations, in-clinic rehabilitation, injury risk assessments and returning to peak sport performance.

Our team includes physical therapists specially trained to care for athletes as well as board certified sports medicine doctors. Physical therapists have advanced training in acute and emergency sports injury management and doctorate level care from the sideline to the clinic. They treat pediatric and adult patients.

The team also includes sports medicine physicians, sports medicine orthopaedic surgeons if surgical or non-surgical interventions are required.

In Columbia, our office is located at 10700 Charter Dr Suite 205, Columbia, MD 21044.

PHYSICAL THERAPY SERVICES INCLUDED:

Sideline, venue and event medical coverage
On-field and sideline evaluations of acute sports injuries
Fast-tracked clinical evaluations and follow up appointments
Pre-participation screenings
Return to sports performance testing and biomechanical analysis
Performance enhancement and injury prevention programs
Educational programs for coaches, athletes and parents

Learn more about the Johns Hopkins sports medicine team

DICK’S Sporting Goods Year-long Savings

Sat, 29 Oct 2022 19:21:31 GMT

Dick’s Sporting Goods Coupons

CP Soccer Mid Atlantic

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 15:12:11 GMT

SAC is excited to partner with CP Soccer to provide a free soccer program for kids (aged 7-18) who have cerebral palsy, or suffered from a stroke or some form of traumatic brain injury. More details can be found on their website www.cpsoccer.us

New Traffic Pattern

Sun, 16 Oct 2022 19:20:22 GMT

Starting today, Feb 28, the new traffic pattern will return to the Lucido Fields at Covenant Park parking lot. All barriers have been set back up.

Over the past year, SAC has consulted with an independent company to study the traffic flow at the Lucido Fields at Covenant Park. With their recommendations, in an effort to improve the conditions in our parking lot, we will be implementing a new traffic pattern. In current effect, the entire main parking lot will change to a two-way traffic flow, with exiting traffic now following the same route used to enter. No traffic will be allowed to pass directly in front of the main office building/crosswalk. Please follow the new signage that has been added throughout the parking lot. A diagram of the new traffic pattern can be found below:

AED Devices at Covenant Park

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 17:53:37 GMT

We are excited to announce that additional Automated External Defibillators (AED’S) have been installed at the Bob Lucido Fields at Covenant Park. These devices can be located:

– In the room behind the building at all times (just at the bottom of the outside staircase)
– In each of the outdoor pavilions during game weekends

Operation Manual (.pdf)

The Bob Lucido Fields at Covenant Park

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 17:51:17 GMT

An aerial tour of our complex
https://vimeo.com/138686409